Redemption (24 page)

As the third group began to assassinate the engineers, the fourth group stirred the cook fire to life, feeding it fresh logs until the fire blazed into a raging inferno. As the two Odessian groups killed the sleeping soldiers, others awoke and shouted in alarm. Within moments the entire camp was awake and rushing to the aid of their fellow soldiers. The sentries on the bridge also reacted to the attack. They raced towards the encampment with their swords drawn. The two groups of Odessians who had hidden alongside the bridge attacked when the sentries reached the end of the bridge.

As the battle in the encampment raged in three different areas, the first of the Odessian horsemen surged across the bridge. There were no engineers alive to begin the dismantling. Within moments the Vinelander camp was overrun by the Odessians. Over the next four hours thousands of Odessians crossed the bridge and began moving northward on the Laborg-Caxon Road.

* * *

The sun was rising in a cloudless sky when General Vanatay reached the summit of the hill. His entourage spread out and flanked the general as he sat on his horse gazing down on the Vine River valley and the city of Caxon in the distance. The Caroomites had hundreds of troops stationed near the only bridge over the river, but the general smiled broadly as he gazed at the iced covered river. He turned his head and gazed southward and peered at the thousands of Vinelanders camped on the Laborg-Caxon Road. His troops were positioned so that they were just out of sight of the city of Caxon.

"When we plunder the city of Caxon," Tabansi broke the silence, "I trust the general will remember the words of King Zinan?"

The general turned and stared at the spy who had been offered rule over Caroom. He did not care for the man, but he would be happy to see him left in Caxon so that the general would not have to look over his shoulder when he returned to Laborg.

"I would never forget the instructions of King Zinan," the general replied tartly. "Once the city is subdued, you will have free reign, but not before. As long as we are fighting, you will have no authority. That is something that you must remember. If your people cause chaos within my troops, I will have you executed. I suggest you keep them under control."

"Shall we give the order to attack?" asked an officer.

"See to it," nodded General Vanatay. "I will watch from here for a while. I want to see the reactions of the Caroomites when our army comes into view."

The officer unfurled a large red flag and attached it to a long stick. He held the flag high over his head and waved it vigorously. Far below the Vinelander encampment came alive. Thousands of marching soldiers surged forward and the general nodded in appreciation.

As the Laborg Caxon Road approached the bridge outside of Caxon, it rose over a forested hill and then dropped across a broad open plain. The vanguard of the Vinelanders had been camped just before the hill and now they were surging over it and spreading out along the plain. While the general could not hear the cries of the Caroomites, he could practically imagine them. He watched as soldiers and civilians raced through the city. Civilians tried to find refuge behind the towering wall of the city, while the soldiers streamed out to meet the Vinelanders.

"I would have thought the soldiers would have retreated to the walls to defend the city," commented one of the officers.

"The city is old," General Vanatay shook his head. "Over two thirds of the population now lives outside the wall. If they want to put the civilians inside, they must bring the soldiers out. There is not room for both."

"Then I would close the gates to the civilians," retorted the officer. "It is far better to use the walls for defense than to expose your soldiers to the enemy."

The general turned and looked the officer in the eye. He shook his head and returned his attention to the city. "You have much to learn," General Vanatay said. "If you allowed two thirds of your people to be slaughtered by your enemy, what do you suppose the other third would do to you? The whole purpose of a fortification is for the protection of your civilians. The Caroomites should have built another wall, but they were too lazy. Now they will pay the penalty."

Hundreds of Caroomite archers spread out along the banks of the Vine River while the Vinelanders continue to march across the plain. The general was watching the preparations with a strange detachment when he saw a column of smoke start rising from the hill north of the city. He frowned as the column of smoke grew thicker and thicker. An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of his stomach.

"Order the attack now," he commanded.

"The troops haven't assembled yet," replied an officer. "Most of them are still beyond the hill."

"Their troops haven't assembled yet either," retorted the general. "I have a sick feeling that the Caroomites have been waiting for us to attack. Give the signal."

The officer ripped the red flag from the stick and started tying a green flag in its place. "How could they possibly know about our plans?" he asked. "We made sure that no one carried our plans north."

"I do not know," admitted the general, "but that smoke is meant to signal someone. Perhaps Tarent has a leak somewhere, but how they discovered our plan is no longer important. What is important is that we strike hard and fast before they can react to our attack."

The officer raised the green flag high over his head and started waving it back and forth. The signal caused confusion among the Vinelanders, as they were not yet assembled. The first disorganized wave rushed the river and was met with a hail of arrows. The soldiers turned and retreated as other Vinelanders were still surging onto the plain.

"Something is wrong to the south," an officer announced anxiously. "The tail end of our army is not moving forward."

The general turned to gaze southward along the Laborg-Caxon Road. While a steady stream of soldiers continued northward, the group farthest south appeared to be fighting with an unknown enemy in the forests lining the road. The Vinelanders were being attacked from both sides of the road.

"Odessians?" asked Tabansi. "Could your men have failed to hold the bridges?"

"Not possible," General Vanatay shook his head. "I left detachments of engineers ready to destroy the bridges before the first horseman finished crossing. Besides, the Odessians do not hide in forests and attack. They sweep across the sands on their Odessian beauties. It is probably just some Caroomites that were posted in the woods to delay our attack. They will be overwhelmed in short order."

For all the confidence the general displayed, his eyes remained glued to the tail end of his column. His eyes narrowed in anger as the Vinelander bodies began to pile up on the road. Within minutes the rear of his column was destroyed. Some of the hidden attackers flitted across the road, and one of the officers shouted in alarm.

"Those are Lomites!" the officer exclaimed. "What are they doing in Vineland?"

General Vanatay watched in rage as part of his column turned around to engage the Lomites behind them.

"One of you get down on that road and get the column moving northward again," snapped the general. "I will not have this attack waylaid by a bunch of jungle savages."

The least-senior officer turned his horse and headed down the mountainside. Word of the Lomite attack spread rapidly along the road and soon most of the Vinelanders were looking over their shoulders as they moved northward. The pace of the attack faltered. As the general continued to watch the rear of the column, half a dozen riders appeared on the road. They rode side by side northward felling anyone in their path. Even from a great distance the general recognized the powerful gait of the Odessian beauties.

"Odessians!" shouted an officer.

"I know," snapped the general. "I am looking at them. Must you announce every little development with such hysteria?"

"He was talking about the plain to our north," Tabansi retorted snidely.

General Vanatay whipped his head around and stared northward. Flowing out of the forest to the east of the plain were hundreds of Odessian horsemen. The Odessian warriors plowed into the mass of Vinelanders, and the attack crumbled into chaos. The general's column that was still coming over the hill on the Laborg-Caxon Road halted when they saw the dreaded horsemen slicing into their comrades. Many in the column turned to retreat while others were trying to surge onto the plain to avoid the forest-dwelling attackers.

Suddenly thunder boomed in the cloudless sky. As everyone looked skyward a monstrous vision appeared overhead. A thousand times larger than life, the face that many recognized as King Zinan appeared in the sky and then the vision spoke.

"Stop the fighting," demanded the vision. "I command those who swear allegiance to King Zinan of Vineland to drop their weapons. It is not my wish that any more people should die today. All neighboring countries have united to defeat Vineland. It is a true sign that this attack has failed. Lay down your weapons and surrender."

For a moment everyone halted their fighting. The Caroomite archers stopped firing arrows, and the Odessian horsemen retreated to the edge of the plain. The Vinelanders stood staring up at the summit of the hill for a signal, but the general's staff was in shock. The first sound of a Vinelander sword hitting the ground was soon followed by thousands of others. Within moments the battle was over. The Odessian horsemen began herding the weaponless Vinelanders across the bridge where they were allowed to set up camp outside the city of Caxon.

King Justin stood on the roof of the palace watching the Vinelanders set up camp. The Odessian horsemen herded the prisoners onto the bridge and the Caroomite soldiers escorted them to an area to camp until their fate was decided. Other Caroomite soldiers were scattered about on the plain picking up the discarded weapons and loading them into wagons. The king was very pleased with what he saw.

"Your guests are assembled," stated an officer behind the king.

King Justin nodded to the officer and headed down the stairs. He entered the meeting room to find those responsible for the victory waiting for him. In addition to the group headed by the three princes, Balitardi, Kanior, and the general of the Caroomite army were present. King Justin smiled a warm welcome to each of them.

"The kingdom of Caroom owes a large debt to each of you," he declared. "I am overwhelmed that both the Odessians and the Lomites were willing to risk their people to save Caxon. I do hope that King Rihad's absence is not due to any injury on the battlefield?"

"It is not," answered Kanior. "He sends his apologies for not attending to the attack on Caxon personally, but he had other pressing business."

"Other business?" questioned the king.

"He took some of our warriors and secured the city of Laborg," grinned Kanior. "The Borundans will never again have the opportunity to use the Vinelanders as puppets."

"Excellent," smiled the king, "but Odessians are not known as city dwellers. Are they prepared to defend against the Borundan armies that will surely come when they hear of this battle? Should I send men down to aid in the defense?"

"You are welcome to," shrugged Kanior, "but I do not think it will be necessary. The bridge on the Dulga-Laborg Road has been dismantled. If the Borundans wish to return to Laborg, they will have to march through the Odessian desert to get there. I assure you that they will never reach Laborg."

"What is to become of Vineland?" asked Prince Antion. "There is no royal family left and it cannot be returned to Borunda. What options are there?"

"Vineland should be returned to the Vinelanders," declared Balitardi, "but it should be done in such a way as to not allow it to reform a massive army. We here represent three of the four countries bordering Vineland. I think we can agree that none of us seeks to expand our domain, and certainly the Hyremites are not eager to. Who then would the Vinelanders need to defend themselves from?"

"Only Borunda," answered Prince Antion. "They are still a threat in my eyes. I think King Rihad has the right approach by isolating Vineland from Borunda, but it is not a permanent answer to the problem. The Odessians will not want to station an army permanently in the east."

"I agree," nodded Prince Umal. "My father has taken the necessary steps to forestall an immediate repeat of King Zinan's coup, but we need a better answer. I think there should be a search to find an heir to the Vinelander throne, and that heir should meet with all of the neighboring countries and agree to a peaceful coexistence."

"In the meantime," interjected Balitardi, "We need to appoint a regent that we will all have confidence in."

"Why not form a council?" suggested Talot. "Let each of the three neighboring countries appoint one person. Those three individuals will act as a regency council to administer the kingdom until the heir is found. It will eliminate the threat of assassination and coup, and will also be a constant reminder to the Vinelanders that their neighbors will not stand for aggression."

"Perhaps such a council will also cause the three nations to begin working closely together," added Jared as he stared at Balitardi. "It is time for all nations to become full partners in the second Great Peace that will soon begin."

"We did act properly in the end," Balitardi responded.

"Admirably so," smiled Jared, "but I think Lom has more to offer its neighbors than it has been willing to share so far. While we may be experiencing a temporary break in the Great Peace, generations have proved that the concept works. Forget the old wars and embrace your brothers outside the jungle. You have shown that it can be done."

"I agree," King Justin nodded vigorously. "I am thrilled that the Lomites were willing to aid Caroom. I would like to repay you in some way, but I realize that I do not even know my neighbors well. We must talk before you leave Caxon about ways that we can bring our two peoples closer."

"Then we shall talk before I leave," agreed the Lomite councilor, "but I am anxious to send my people home before the river thaws. It must be only days away now."

"I, too, am anxious to take my warriors home," admitted Kanior. "We are the closest country to Borunda, and our warriors need to be ready for King Zinan's next move."

"I think we should travel with you," Prince Umal said to his countryman as he glanced at Prince Antion for confirmation.

"Yes," nodded the Arin prince. "We are heading to the south and passing through Odessia would be a welcome change of climate."

"Let me throw a feast this night," suggested King Justin. "We have stockpiled tons of food in case of a siege, and we must get rid of it somehow. In the morning your armies can get a fresh start with full bellies. Is that acceptable?"

"What of the Vinelanders?" asked Jared. "Are they to sit outside and listen to the cheering of the victors while we wine and dine inside?"

The room fell awkwardly silent and everyone stared at Jared. It was not that the victors held any animosity towards the Vinelander soldiers, but that there was not a good solution to the problem.

"I have an idea," Winona meekly broke the silence. "Someone must inform the Vinelanders of what is to be done with them. Would it not make sense to include them in the festival? Could they not have the truth explained to them?"

"The truth?" asked Sandar. "Explain that they were defeated? I think they already know that."

"Not that truth," smiled Winona. "They have just been freed from Borundan rule. Inform them that their three great neighbors will form a council so that no false king will force them into war again. Tell them that this council will search for the true heir to the throne."

"I like it," smiled Prince Antion. "It is perfectly true, yet it gives them cause to celebrate. Let them feel as if they truly won today, and they did it with our help. It is the truth."

"It is indeed," Balitardi nodded in amazement.

"What of General Vanatay?" asked Monte. "He was caught trying to flee back to Laborg. Surely, he will not be allowed to celebrate?"

"Hang him as a traitor and the puppet of King Zinan," scowled Kanior. "Let him be the focal point of the Vinelanders' hatred. He was the one who drove those men northward to pillage and plunder."

"It shall be done," the king said solemnly. "Let me go and make preparations for tonight. I will have chambers made available for each of you to rest in."

The foreigners broke into small groups after the king's departure. Talot and Balitardi spoke softly in one corner of the room, while Kanior quietly brought Prince Umal up to date on the goings on in Odessia. Sandar, Monte, and Prince Derri were laughing and making plans to bathe, but Jared stood alone staring out the window. Prince Antion had been congratulating Winona on her imaginative solution to the problem of the Vinelanders when he noticed Jared. He politely excused himself and walked softly up behind Jared.

"What is bothering you, Jared?" asked the Arin prince. "Was it the creation of the image in the sky? There was nothing impure about that and it saved many lives today."

"No," Jared shook his head. "I did not lie to anyone. I asked them to put down their arms and surrender. I am pleased that I was able to affect them all in a positive manner."

"How did you learn to do such a thing?" asked Winona who had followed the Arin prince to the window.

"From Orro," answered Jared. "I do not think he meant for me to learn it, but it is how he projects the image of his head into the fountain in Harangar."

"The head is an image?" frowned Winona. "How can that be? Where is the real Orro?"

"I do not know," answered Jared. "Perhaps he no longer has a body at all. That was never clear to me."

Winona stared at the back of Jared's head in shock. Her eyes grew wide, but she remained mute.

"Then what is bothering you?" probed Prince Antion.

"It is my brother," frowned Jared. "He is moving closer to us."

"Is he returning to Laborg?" inquired the Arin prince.

"I do not think so," Jared shook his head. "He is moving northward, but far to the west of us. His current path will not bring him anywhere near Vineland."

"Point to him," instructed the Arin prince.

Jared pointed to the southwest, and Prince Antion turned and left the room. Several minutes later he returned and spread a map over the table. Everyone stopped talking and turned to see what was going on. The Arin prince gazed out the window one more time and then returned to the table. He drew his long two-handed sword and placed it on the map. Lining it up with the hills he saw in the distance, he called Jared to the table.

"Can you tell how far along this line he is?" asked Prince Antion.

"I would say about five day's ride," estimated Jared. "I can't be all that precise."

"A little north of Oran," commented Prince Derri. "What would he be doing up there?"

"Whatever he is doing," mused Prince Antion, "he is moving quickly to get it done. Two days ago he was considerably farther south. We were guessing that he might have been in Koar, and that is where we were heading."

"He cannot be moving with an army," noted Prince Umal. "Not only is he moving too quickly for that, his army would never get past Oran without my people knowing about it."

"If the Arin River is still frozen," interjected Sandar, "he could have bypassed Oran entirely by slipping into Arin."

"But not with an army," Prince Antion shook his head. "I think it is safe to say that King Zinan is traveling without his army."

"So the question is," posed Talot, "where is he heading, and why?"

"Maybe he was so sure of victory here that he is coming to celebrate and exert his influence over Caroom?" suggested Monte. "Perhaps he will even crown himself King of Caroom?"

"That is not the reception he will receive," Jared sighed. "We will not be accompanying your warriors to Odessia, Kanior. We are heading westward."

"Should my warriors escort you?" asked Kanior. "We could return to Odessia through Oran."

"I need no army for the task I have been given," Jared shook his head sadly. "Your people need to return home. While King Zinan is my problem, he still has powerful armies. I fear what they may be up to right now."

"You think this attack on Caxon was a diversion?" frowned Talot.

"Not a diversion," answered Prince Derri, "but not necessarily his only move either. Borunda has always maintained two armies, one for the east and one for the west. The defeated army outside this palace is neither of them. Asking where those other two armies are is a valid question to ask."

"Indeed," nodded Prince Antion. "I fear one of them must be poised to attack Anatar. King Zinan knows that Arin and Salacia will resist his advances. Perhaps he is seeking information on the status of the Salacian troops?"

"If he is," frowned Prince Derri, "he will find my father's armies just across the border. At least that is where King Justin's people have said that they were."

* * *

The sun was bright and the sound of cracking ice reverberated through the valley. King Zinan stood on the banks of the river not far from the bridge on the Caxon-Kyland Road. He smiled thinly as he watched large chunks of ice flow by on their journey to the sea. The spring melt had arrived on schedule, and it marked the beginning of the offensive in the west. The six Borundan soldiers accompanying the king peered across the river at the thick forests of Salacia.

"There are definitely Salacian soldiers in those woods," remarked one of the soldiers. "I am uncomfortable with the king so close to them. We should have brought more men."

The soldier had thought that King Zinan was out of earshot, but he was not. The king shook his head at the soldier's display of weakness.

"I fear no army," King Zinan said as he turned around and approached the six men. "Come with me."

The Borundan king mounted his horse and headed towards the Caxon-Kyland Road. The soldiers scurried to their horses and raced to catch up to the king. The king halted in the middle of the road not far from the entrance to the bridge. He dismounted and walked onto the bridge. He did not seek to go far on the bridge, but rather just far enough to ensure that he was seen by the Salacian soldiers on the other side. He halted and shouted loudly.

"I am King Zinan, ruler of the Land of the Nine Kingdoms. Come bow before me."

The Borundan soldiers looked at one another as if inquiring about the king's sanity, but none of them spoke. The king stood patiently for several minutes, but there was no response from the Salacian soldiers hiding in the forests.

"You have had your first opportunity to bow before me," shouted King Zinan. "Your next opportunity will be your last."

King Zinan turned around and walked off the bridge into Caroom. He turned again and stared at the bridge. For several moments the scene remained frozen. The king stared at the bridge, and the ice-clogged river flowed heavily underneath it. Six Borundan soldiers sat on their horses behind the king, and thousands of hidden Salacian soldiers peered out of the woods from across the river.

Suddenly the bridge exploded in a fountain of stone and wooden particles. Most of the debris fell into the swiftly moving river, but a large cloud of dust also rose skyward. Gasps of astonishment came from soldiers on both sides of the river, and King Zinan snickered at their reaction. He turned towards his own soldiers and mounted his horse.

"How many escorts did you think I required?" he asked the soldier who had been overheard.

The soldier cowered and lowered his eyes to the ground.